Are you a trivia master? Or an Alex Trebek superfan? You could be on Jeopardy! The show’s application and testing process are open to anyone willing to put their knowledge to the test.
That said, getting selected to appear on a Jeopardy! episode is part skill, part charisma, and part luck. Here’s how to up your chances of becoming a contestant on America’s classic game show.
Register on MyJeopardy!
The first step to getting on Jeopardy! is filling out an online contestant entry form. Create a MyJeopardy! account, which enables you to register for the show’s free online test. You’ll have to answer some basic demographic questions and upload a photo.
Once you complete your registration, you’ll also select from a handful of audition cities (in case you make it that far).
Prepare for—and take—the online test
All Jeopardy! hopefuls must take a general knowledge online test. You get 50 categories and 50 clues (just like the show’s format) and have approximately 15 seconds to submit an answer. The entire test takes approximately 13 minutes. Don’t worry—you don’t have to respond in the form of a question.
Tests are generally offered on up to three consecutive days once or twice a year. For 2019, the next window is April 9–11. You must take the test at the appointed time, and you cannot take it more than once during a single testing period. You must be logged in to your MyJeopardy! account when the test begins.
To prepare, access practice tests and other test prep resources on the show’s website. These will give you a feel for the format, pace, and types of questions. Watching old episodes may help, as well.
Chris Wong, a contestant on Jeopardy! on October 10, 2018, says that he also prepared for show questions using JBoard (an online forum) and the fan-created J! Archive as well as flashcards created with Anki.
Nail the in-person audition
Jeopardy! never reveals candidates’ test scores, but if you pass, you’ll be entered into a lottery for an audition. You’ll receive an email invitation with additional information if you’re selected.
The audition has several parts:
An additional written test
A game tutorial
A mock game
A contestant interview
While you do have to answer Jeopardy! questions during the audition, the experience isn’t really about your knowledge or test skills. Rather, it’s where show coordinators decide who has a personality for TV.
“They’re not looking for the smartest people in the room,” Wong says. “They’re looking for people who will make for the best show.”
A few of Wong’s tips to rock your audition:
Look the part. Dress like you’re on the show—business casual attire, solid colors, and comfortable dress shoes are your best bet.
Stay engaged. The cameras are rolling for the entire audition. Don’t ham it up, but do stay genuinely interested and energized—even during downtime. “Contestants that are fun but not distracting will be the most successful,” Wong says.
Don’t be a know-it-all. Standing out as overly competitive or showy may count against you.
Speak loudly and clearly. Some of the most common feedback Jeopardy! hopefuls get during auditions is to “speak up” and “keep the game moving.” Also, answer all mock game clues in the form of a question just as you would on the show.
Prepare for your interview. After the mock game, contestants are asked to share something interesting about themselves and what they will do with the money if they win. Come prepared with several unique answers in case someone uses yours before your turn. “They’ve heard it all, so give them something they haven’t heard,” Wong says. (Hint: don’t say you’d use your winnings to travel.)
Hurry up and wait
If you audition well, you’ll be put in a pool of potential contestants for 18 months—and if chosen to compete, you’ll be notified about a month before your taping. Jeopardy! tapes in Culver City, California.
“Honestly, just be yourself,” Wong says. “Or rather, be the best, most interesting version of yourself. Remember, Jeopardy isn’t just a quiz show—it’s also a television show.”